"Free in DC" Free and low-cost things to do in DC!

Free in DC is an arts, culture, and consciousness resource dedicated to all the cool, free, low-cost things to do in Washington, DC… proving you don't need to spend a lot to live a rich life in this town! See DC through the eyes of a local who lives in the city and is plugged into the scene. All events are free, donation-based, or $10 or less and accessible by Metro or bus in VA, MD or DC.

Monday, March 19, 2018

Monday, March 19
Here are a some more Free and low-cost events in DC and MD from the Current Newspaper daily events page (Thanks to The Current Newspaper staff for compiling!). Events are organized by start time. If more info is needed about the event or the venue, search google or refer to the links if they are included For public transit access by bus or metro, see metro trip-planner.

Opera Singer Conversation: The Ward Circle Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons will sponsor a presentation by Melissa Chavez, a singer in musicals and operas who will discuss her experience as an opera singer. 12:30 p.m. social time, 1 p.m. program. Free. National United Methodist Church, Metropolitan Memorial Campus, 3401 Nebraska Ave. NW. 202-363-4900.

Book Club: “Fiction Fun!,” a monthly book club that promises a “lively discussion of the human soul shown in current fiction,” will focus on Abraham Verghese’s novel, “Cutting for Stone.” 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free; RSVP required. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Contact Beverly Rude at fictionfun@cathedralcongregation.org.

Poetry Reading & Open Mic: Poets Liz Ahl and David Keplinger will read their poetry and lead into an open mic. The night will begin with refreshments and a classical guitar performance by Michael C. Davis. 7 to 9 p.m. Free. Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Ave., Chevy Chase. Contact Burgi Zenhaeusern at BurgiZen1@verizon.net for more details.

Special Promo! Regularly $10 but you can get $5 tickets with the promo code "DCLoft" Event open to those 21+

Capital Laughs and The DC Comedy Loft present Jena Friedman LIVE featuring Lafayette Wright and hosted by Martin Amini! You can follow them on twitter: @JenaFriedman (Conan, The Daily Show), @Lafayette247 (Comedy Central) and @MartinAmini (TruTV). Learn more about the Comedians below.

Jena Friedman is a stand up comedian, writer and filmmaker. She has worked as a field producer at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has written for Late Show with David Letterman. Her critically acclaimed stand up special, American Cunt, is now available on iTunes and her new special "Soft Focus with Jena Friedman" is currently available for streaming on Adult Swim.

Lafayette Wright is unique in that he is a comedian whose self-obsessions with art and expression fuel who he is both onstage and off. An enigmatic loner offstage, Lafayette has spent close to a decade honing his skill as a favorite on the DC Comedy scene. He now divides his stage time between DC and New York City. Recently he has performed in the illustrious 202 Comedy Festival and on Kevin Hart's new Comedy Central show "Hart of the City", a showcase of different stand up comedy scenes across the nation.

Martin Amini is one of the fastest rising comedians in the country. As the host and founder of The Overachievers Comedy Show, Martin has built a following that makes his show the most popular in the Nation's Capital. Martin has been a reoccurring performer at the Kennedy Center, Caroline's on Broadway, and The Comedy Store. His material touches on what its like growing up mixed in America, coming from an Iranian and Bolivian background. You can watch Martin on the new standup show Laff Tracks.

Avant Bard brings back the legendary gospel musical The Gospel at Colonusfor a second run!(see video clip)
by donation/PWYW so you name your price at the door* Regular admission $30 on Friday, $35 for Saturday night & Sunday shows
Pay-What-You-Will shows every Thursday night at 7:30pm and every Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm throughout the run! See calendar below.

Avant Bard proudly revives its acclaimed production of The Gospel at Colonus, a soaring celebration of transcendence and the fragility of life. The score is an inspiring fusion of Black church gospel with elements of blues and Motown. Unlike some other productions of the show, which had a megachurch setting, the Avant Bard production will evoke a sacred site that draws from and honors the Greek and African roots of the source material.

A sold-out hit last season, the show transforms Sophocles' timeless tale of the last days of Oedipus into a parable for our times. Its message of redemption is needed now more than ever. With its epic poetry and magnificent score, The Gospel at Colonus reminds us that out of the deepest sorrows, the highest and most uplifting hope can emerge.

Director Sandra L. Holloway, who choreographed The Gospel at Colonus last season, will restage the show based on original direction by Jennifer L. Nelson. Musical direction will again be by e'Marcus Harper-Short (Musical Director of Theater Alliance's acclaimed Black Nativity). Avant Bard also welcomes back collaborating producers Minister Becky Sanders and The Women's Ecumenical Choir, which will have a more prominent role in the production this year.

The original cast of the 2017 production, shown singing in the video clip linked to above, has been nominated for a Helen Hayes Award in the "Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical - Helen" category! Well-known gospel recording artist Kenton Rogers has joined the cast! An actor, singer, and ordained preacher, Rogers headlines The Gospel at Colonus in the role of Singer Oedipus along with local civic legend William T. Newman Jr., who returns as Preacher Oedipus. The remount will feature three other new cast members: Ayana Reed, Jessa Marie Coleman, and Gregory Wright.

With its epic poetry and magnificent score, The Gospel at Colonus reminds us that out of the deepest sorrows, the highest and most uplifting hope can emerge. This musical was a global sensation when it premiered in 1983. The story combines Greek tragedy and African American heritage. The score is an inspiring fusion of Black church gospel with elements of blues and Motown. Written by Lee Breuer and composer Bob Telson, The Gospel at Colonus was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Best Drama in 1985 and won the Obie for Best Musical in 1984.

*Note that the number of seats available at each show will vary based on how many people reserved tickets online in advance so you'll want to get there about 30 minutes early to get your ticket. All ages welcome, Recommended for ages 14 and up, performance is about 90 minutes, no intermission

The show runs Thursday, February 22 - Sunday, March 25 with PWYW performances on Thursday, February 22, Friday, February 23, Saturday, February 24 and Monday, February 27 at 7:30pm as well as all Thursday evening 7:30pm shows and Saturday matinees at 2:00pm, Check out this short video to get a sense of some of the music you will here. again this time around!

2700 South Lang St - Arlington, VA 22206 (see map)
Metro: Crystal City and catch the 23A or 23B bus from bus bay two (the thoughtful folks at Avant Bard even made a video you can watch on how to get there using metro and bus which is especially great for visual folks) and get off at South Arlington Ridge Rd and South Lang St, nine stops, about a six minute bus ride. You can use metro trip-planner for metro and bus schedules. It's about 1.5 miles from the metro if you want to bike or walk, or you can also uber or lyft there if that makes more sense, see promotions for new users at the bottom of this post. If you have a car and plan to drive you can see driving directions here. Ample free parking available.

Drafthouse Comedy presents Attack of the Comics: DC's longest running Stand-up Open Mic, because seasoned comics need to work things out, and young comics need to work things out and sometimes they come together on the same stage, and at a venue open to those 18 and up! Of course drinks are available for those 21+ but no minimum purchase is required. Laughing highly encouraged though.

Drafthouse Comedy is a unique comedy arts space located in the heart of downtown DC at the corner of 13th & L St NW that is styled after a black box theater, with tall ceilings, great sight lines, and an intimate setting. They opened in back in April of 2016 and are operated by the same folks who run Arlington Drafthouse,

Metro: McPherson Sq is closest, also walking distance from Metro Center or you can take the Circulator bus, Woodley - McPherson Sq route, or any of the metro buses along K St or 14th St, to the stop closest to 14th & K St NW

This Saturday SMASH is back with a whole new hilarious line up of comedians/storytellers talking about the funniest and embarrassing aspects of relationships and sex. The audience is invited to join in the fun by adding their own stories that the host reads In between each sets. They'll also share stories of folks who have slid in the Brainy Girl Productions DM. It's always such a fun time. DJ Soyo will playing all of the jams about sex and relationships, the good, the bad and the ugly. Show starts at 8pm, Doors open at 7:00pm so folks can grab seats and food and drinks if they like. Come on out for an awkward, embarrassing, and sexy time!

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Here are a some more Free and low-cost events in DC from the Current Newspaper daily events page (Thanks to The Current Newspaper staff for compiling!). Events are organized by start time. If more info is needed about the event or the venue, search google or refer to the links if they are included For public transit access by bus or metro, see metro trip-planner.

Afternoon

2:30pm

Sketching: Bring a sketchbook and pencils to the Luce Foundation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Center and participate in a “Sketching: Draw and Discover” event, taking inspiration from the objects on display at the museum. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free; walk-ins welcome. Smithsonian American Art Museum, F and 8th St. NW. 202-633-5435. This event repeats weekly.

Evening

6:00pm

Concert: The John Hanson Montessori School Chorus, the Freedom High School Artist Guitar Ensemble and the Colgan High School Chamber Ensemble will highlight excellence in local school music programs as part of the Music in Our Schools Month. 6 p.m. Free. Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center. 202-467-4600.

Special Drumming Event: Celebrate the Spring Equinox by joining in D.C.’s largest indoor drum circle, led by Katy Gaughan of Drumming for Wellness. Drums will be provided or participants can bring their own. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free; RSVP required. $5 donations requested at the door. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-537-6200.

Film: The Cultural Services of the French Embassy will present “Paris: A Wild Story,” about the 3,000-plus animal species living in France’s capital. This screening is part of the D.C. Environmental Film Festival. 7 p.m. Free; registration required. Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Road NW. 202-944-6000.

Author Talk: LGBT rights activist Sarah McBride will discuss her book “Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality,” as part of a conversation with Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.). 7 p.m. Free admission. Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-354-1919.

Monday, March 5, 2018

For more events please check out @FreeinDCBlog on twitter and the Free in DC page on facebook, search for "Free in DC" or click here! Much of the event content I cover comes from facebook and I don't always have time to craft individual posts on this site for every event I come across and I often post links to events on @FreeinDCBlog on twittter and/or FreeinDC on facebook that aren't on the main site.

I tweet most every day, focusing on events happening that day, and some other events coming soon or ones that you might not find on the main site or on facebook. Also, if you aren't a twitter user you can just look at the page without needing to sign up for an account!

Fitiverse is local, social network that will help you to find new, fun and social ways to workout! Fitiverse focuses on fitness and connects you with compatible workout buddies who have access to the same fitness zones, which are like neighborhoods.

If you're wondering why am I sharing Fitiverse on Free in DC when technically it's not an arts, culture or consciousness event, it is because Fitiverse shares a similar mission, to help people connect to fabulous, local, free things to do. In their case, they just focus on fitness. It's also free to join! The site was founded by two brothers who live in the DC area who share a passion for fitness and well-being. They wanted to help others in the greater community find people who live nearby, share similar schedules and are interested in similar ways of working out and having fun.

Create your free account to find some free activities, have some fun burning calories and maybe even make some new friends while you are at it.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Free & Low Cost Community Yoga & Meditation Classes in DC!
Below is a list of some of the more popular centers and studios that offer free, donation-based, and reduced price yoga and meditation lasses as part of their weekly schedules.

If you know of any other studios or places where you can find yoga classes that are free, by donation or $10 or less, feel free to email me over gmail at freeindcblog, comment on Free in DC's facebook page or send me a tweet @FreeinDCBlog.

Yoga Classes

Organized alphabetically by Studio/ Venue Name.
Please message me to let me know if there are any changes to note in this list.

Saturday lunchtimeCircle Yoga- Friendship Heights/ Chevy ChaseDonation-Based Community Class onSaturdays 12:30pm - 1:30pm (except during session breaks). Suggested $5 minimum donation. "These “all levels” classes are typically yoga classes, though we sometimes offer Pilates, Feldenkrais, or other types of community classes. Check the community class schedule for details." View the full schedule of free community classes. Located near Friendship Heights metro and Chevy Chase Circle, about 13 min walk from metro (map),Select Days, Times and Locations in DCDC Public Libraries often host Free Yoga Classes, you can search their calendar here

Friday late afternoonDown Dog Yoga- Georgetown
One hour Community Class "Flow for $5" on Fridays at 4:30pm I am pretty sure this is a heated yoga studio so you may want to call them to check before you sign up for this class. Description online simply says: "These fun classes are taught by our teachers-in-training. Following our all-levels format, these classes offer an opportunity for you to support the development of our teachers in training, and at the same time offer a reduced rate as an opportunity to give back to the broader yoga community." View schedule here.

Select classes $10

Studio Serenity and Studio DC- locations inAdams Morgan and Dupont Circle
$10 community yoga classesFrom their website: "Our studio has a strong commitment to making yoga accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of income. We are offering $10 community yoga classes every day of the week. Check out our class schedule to see which classes are only $10. These reduced $10 classes can only be purchased at the studio. ***Passes not available online, only in person.*** $10 Yoga Policies: *If you have a membership or intro special, you do NOT need to pay in addition for this class *Purchases that expire are not valid for extension, roll-over, or refund. *Not eligible for non-profit/student rate *Not eligible as credit to be applied to a regularly priced class, intro pass, class package, or OM Pass *Only valid for classes listed online as $10 class" They also offer "Namaste Day - free classes all day: "One day out of the month, the studio offers the community an opportunity to enjoy the invigorating, challenging, joyful, sweaty, and celebratory yoga classes we have to offer....for FREE.***Members and pass holders can guarantee their spot by signing up in advance. Classes will fill up on a first come, first serve basis, so show up early."

Best to Call to check current scheduleTranquil Space - Near Virginia Sq Metro 3528 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA (703) 829-6428
Near Dupont Circle Metro 17th St location 1632-34 17th Street NW (202) 328-9642
and at Yoga Works in DC 14th St location 2301 ½ 14th Street, NW (202) 836-7680
They used to offer $10 Yoga On the Goclasses every Thursday night in Arlington from 8:30pm - 9:30pm. In Dupont Circle they used to have a $5 Class every Wednesday at 4:30pm and on the Second Sunday on the month 3:30pm - 4:30pm, all-levels class, donations benefit different charities each month and feature different teachers each month as well. $5 suggested.

Throughout the Week at various locations in DCYoga District offers lots of donation based Meditation & Yoga Classes (most on Sundays)

Meditation ClassesMonday night Circle Yoga- Friendship Heights/ Chevy ChaseMindfulness Meditation Mondays every Monday from 7:00pm - 8:30pm with The Opening Heart Mindfulness Community. "On Mondays, join us for sitting and walking meditation and a facilitated discussion. Introduction for newcomers is on the first Monday of each month starting at 6:15 pm. Wednesday 6:30-7:30 am and Friday sessions 12:00-1:00pm include sitting and walking meditation, but there is no facilitated discussion." Located near Friendship Heights metro and Chevy Chase Circle, about 13 min walk from metro (map),

Select Days, Times and Locations in DCDC Public Libraries host free Meditation workshops on occasion, you can search their calendar here

Throughout the Week at various locations in DCYoga District offers lots of donation based Meditation & Yoga Classes (most on Sundays)

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Updated December 29, 2015. Here is a list of coffee shops and other spots with free wireless internet in DC, and parts of VA and MD.I am sure there are more I haven't listed yet... Please add any additional locations in DC or next to a metro in MD or VA along with the address, area, and link if you have it in the comment section and I will add it to the list! If you know of any changes, please let me know of those as well. You can comment tweet me @FreeinDCBlog or message me on Free in DC's facebook page or send an email to freeindcblog@gmail.com if you have any updates to this list (new places or places listed here that may be closed, etc...) Thanks!

Pleasant Popsdelicious veggie sandwiches, soups, salads, a great section of local foods and really good espresso drinks from Ceremony Coffee
1781 Florida Ave NW
near the intersection of 18th & Florida Ave, by Mint Gym
at the bottom of Adams Morgan, north of Dupont

Sugar Daddy's
2006 18th St NWbakery near Florida Ave
at the bottom of Adams Morgan, north of Dupont

Dolcezza - New location with late night hours!
at the corner of
14th & P St NW
Monday - Thursday: 7am-11pm Friday 7am-12am
Saturday 8am-12am Sunday 8am - 11pm
They also have a location in Dupont Circle
Metro: best reached by the Circulator bus, Woodley-McPherson route that also goes up 14th St and by the Columbia Heights Metro, right to 14th & RI Ave or P St, you can also take any bus along 14th St.

SHAWKafe Bohem
Viennese-style coffeehouse, open until 5pm daily, attached to Bistro Bohem
600 Florida Ave NWCompass CoffeeOne of the newest places in DC, beans roast in house!Interesting story behind this place too, learn more here.

Daily form 7:00am - 8:00pm

1535 7th St NW - near Q St

Note: They have two additional locations now! One in Chinatown and another in Shaw

New: Apparently, most all of the McDonalds in the area now have offer free wireless internet! To see which ones in the area have wi-fi and to learn more, please click here. You'll want to type in your zipcode and look for the ones with a green box on the far right.

Buzz really great coffee shop with cupcakes and other baked goodsI was thrilled to discover this one in Arlington! Try their 9:30 cupcake, it is so good!

818 N. Quincy - entrance is on Wilson Blvd, near sweetgreen

Ballston (walk to Wilson, turn left and go a few blocks)Note: They also have a second location in Alexandria, VA but I haven't been there so not sure if it's accessible by metro or if they have wireless there

Monday, December 21, 2015

Explore DC "Off The Mall" Here are some ideas! Lots of Free, discount and low-cost venues!

Did you know? Free in DC has it's own CultureCapital Inside-Outpage on CultureCapital listing free events and exhibitions on view!

If you've never been to or heard of the Pepco Gallery in Chinatown, Joan Hisako Healing Arts Gallery on U St, Honfleur Gallery in Anacostia and the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, you might want to check them out as well.

Museums and other places "Off The Mall"

The National Building Museum
Free if you just want to hang out in the space, $8 - $5 if you want to see any of the exhibits on view. The building itself is a beautiful space, huge ceilings, cafe, and one of DC's best gift shops.

Admission to this museum varies, lots of the exhibits are free in general

those with kids might enjoy the Meerkats 3-D film currently screening, $7
1145 17th St NW - two buildings, other one has an entrance on M St

Metro: Dupont Circle, south or Farragut North, L St exit, easiest access is by bus, take any of the S line buses along 16th St to M St or the 42 bus to M St

The Wilderness Society - Ansel Adams Gallery
On view Monday - Friday during the day, Free
Photographer Ansel Adams was a Wilderness Society council member and supported the organization for more than four decades. Throughout his career, he photographed dozens of iconic portraits of wildlands, such as Alaska’s Denali and California’s Yosemite. Before his death in 1984, Adams gave 75 signed, original images to The Wilderness Society. Since that time the collection has grown to a total of 88 landscape photographs and one portrait of Adams by photographer Arnold Newman. Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 4:00pm, Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm. Closed, weekends and federal holidays.

1615 M St NW, in the Sumner School building

Metro: Dupont Circle, south or Farragut North, L St exit, easiest access is by bus, take any of the S line buses along 16th St to M St or the 42 bus to M St

The Phillips Collection
Did you know that they Phillips is by donation during the week? Permanent collection only. Click link above for detailed post on Free in DC.
1600 21st St NW
Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St north exit

National Museum of Women in the Arts
General Admission $10, Members/Students/65+ $8, Free for those 18 and under
1250 New York Ave NW
Metro: Metro Center or take any of the S buses along 16th St that run to 13th & NY Ave.

The Mansion on O Street
DC's most unusual and quirky museum if you ask me! Great for all ages.
The basic "Self-Guided/Gift Shopping/Book Tour"
$8 donation/person
Create your own adventure when you explore the museum and its collection of more than 20,000 books and other donated items on your own. Search through 100 rooms and 32 secret doors for new titles, rare volumes, or your all time favorites! Get 2 free books of similar value for every 10 you purchase. Most titles are priced $5 or less. 10% discount off other items (antiques excluded).

Friday, May 22, 2015

Enjoy Art on view and Free Workshops and Events at The Meditation Museum in Silver Spring
Monday - Saturday

11:00am - 6:00pm
and during events in the eve

Free, donations welcome

If you haven't been to the Meditation Museum before, this unique space recently moved to a new location in MD, a short walk from the Forest Glen Metro. In addition to the museum space, which features art ranging from pictures, posters, paintings and sculptures, designed to remind us of our true, highest selves and our responsibility to humanity, there are also lots of workshops and events offered at the Meditation Museum that are all free of charge!

To see a list of upcoming free workshops and events at the museum, please visit their website at MeditationMuseum.org. You can also stay connected to the museum and their upcoming events through Meetup, facebook and twitter.

The Meditation Museum
9525 Georgia Avenue, Suite 101 - Silver Spring, MD
Metro: Forest Glen, an easy 8 minute walk north along Georgia Ave
Note: They just moved! Further north in MD but a short walk from the metro, just a few blocks.

Join the Golden Triangle BID every Tuesday and Thursday evening this spring for free Pilates and Yogalates class in Farragut Square Park. Instruction will be provided by certified Pilates and Yogalates instructors. Bring your own mat and enjoy these fun and relaxing after work exercise sessions with the Golden Triangle BID.

Here are some great free arts and culture events from CultureCapital.com!
This site is a fantastic resource for free and ticketed events Here are some great free arts and culture events from CultureCapital.com! This site is a fantastic resource for free and ticketed events presented by nearly 300 Metro DC Arts Presenters. For quick way to find even more free arts and culture events try our "Free in DC" Inside Out feature, curated by the staff of CultureCapital.com.

Early Eve - Book event at the NMWA - Metro CenterBanned Book Club: Mrs. Dalloway
5:30pm
Light refreshments will be served. BYOB (Bring Your Own Book)
Join us for an evening of discussion about Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway. Published in 1925 and considered one of the top 50 English-language novels of all time, Mrs. Dalloway weaves two narratives together as each touches on mental health issues, homosexuality and the meaning of life. Celebrate the freedom to read during Banned Books Week at NMWA. In conjunction with the museum’s Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center Library and Research Center exhibition Vanessa Bell’s Hogarth Press Designs.

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Follow @FreeinDCBlog for even more Free and low-cost events every day!

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Want to Submit an Event?

Thanks for your interest in submitting an event to Free in DC. If you have an event to submit, please email freeindcblog@gmail.com. I started the site back in October 2017, nearly ten years now, and have been running it on my own the entire time. All of the funds I make through donations go to support me and the work of this site. Over the years, I have worked every day to maintain the site and to build a strong following and I now ask that anyone requesting an individual post makes a donation help sustain the site so that I can keep sharing all of the amazing free and low-cost events with you all! Basic posts are offered sliding scale by donation, as are featured posts. Promotional packages include mentions on @FreeinDCBlog on twitter and are custom designed based on the budget you have to work with.If you have an event to submit but don't have funds to work with you're welcome to still submit it to me for consideration in a highlights post, which goes up a day or so before the event usually. All of the options and details can be found in the auto-reply you'll receive when you email freeindcblog@gmail.com. If you want to find out more about customized promotional packages through featured posting, also sliding scale, you can just email me directly with a personal note with a link to the event details online and we can chat further over email. Thanks! ~ Amy

Want to Submit an Event?

If you have an event to submit for post consideration, please fill out this form. Events submitted must be free, by donation, or $10 or less—and Metro or bus accessible in DC, MD, or VA.